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O’Shea: We need three points

Sunderland have won the last four north-east derbies in succession but could find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone before kick-off if Burnley defeat Tottenham earlier on Super Sunday.

“That’s the big issue,” O’Shea told the club’s official website.

“Whoever we were facing this weekend, be it Newcastle, be it Crystal Palace, be it Southampton, whoever the case may be, it’s a case of getting the three points as soon as we can and getting everyone energised again and looking forward to the remaining games.

“Look, we know we’re not in the position that we’d like to be in, but we know we can get out of it. It’s in our hands.”

Sunderland won the most recent game between the two sides at the Stadium of Light as well as the last three derbies at St James’ Park.

Asked what lay behind that run of results, O’Shea said: “Staying together as a unit, keeping the team spirit strong, working as a unit all over the pitch and taking chances.

“Making sure we got clean sheets and also whether it was early or late in the game, making sure we took chances – they were the keys, and obviously having a strong squad as well because there were a couple of times where there were changes in the line-up before games.

“Everyone has got to be mentally prepared to start the game, and obviously anything can happen then in the 90 minutes.

“Look, it’s one of those things, we have a chance of creating a fantastic record against a big rival, the main rival for us, so it’s a fantastic opportunity. But ultimately, it comes down to wanting it more on the day and hopefully, that will be the case.”